Kolkata, 25 March (H.S.): Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, and Humayun Kabir, founder of the Am Janata Unnayan Party, on Wednesday held a joint press conference in Kolkata outlining their political alliance ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections. The leaders also announced plans to hold 20 public rallies across the state.

During the press conference, Owaisi said he disagreed with Kabir’s earlier remark about aiming for the Deputy Chief Minister’s post. “We will fight for the Chief Minister’s post, not the Deputy Chief Minister’s position. The Deputy Chief Minister’s post is like a sixth finger on the hand,” he said.

Responding to allegations by the All India Trinamool Congress that AIMIM is the “B team” of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Owaisi said, “We are not anyone’s B team; we are our own team.” He also criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and raised several political issues.

Owaisi said the people had given Mamata Banerjee power and that arrogance should have no place in politics. He also stated that politics should not be based on intimidation and that everyone has the right to express their views in a democracy.

On the electoral strategy, Owaisi said AIMIM would contest one or two seats in the West Bengal Assembly elections while extending full support to the Am Janata Unnayan Party. He added that both leaders would address several joint rallies in Kolkata and other parts of the state.

Responding to a question, Owaisi also spoke about the significance of religious places, saying that just as temples are sacred to Hindus, churches to Christians and gurdwaras to Sikhs, mosques are sacred to Muslims, and all religious places should be respected.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh